Completely You

Better Health in 15 minutes

Hereís a shortcut to better health, less stress, and more focus. Itís called meditation, and all you...

By Anne-Sophie Reinhardt for Completely You

12/16/2012

I resisted meditating for ages. I always believed that it was way too “out there.” Meditation, I thought, was something for new agers -- Buddhists who eat raw food and give each other hugs all the time. (Yeah, I was pretty ignorant.)

But then I heard about the benefits of meditation over and over again from my rational and scientific friends. Meditation, they told me, can boost your memory and productivity, lower your blood pressure and cut your risk of all sorts of diseases. I started to buy into the message that sitting down on the floor for 15 minutes or so to let go and breathe might do me some good.

And so I took the leap.

I’ve now been meditating for months and it has improved my life by leaps and bounds. I’ve gotten calmer, more focused, less stressed, and have been able to think in a much bigger-picture kind of way. This short time I spend with myself every morning is turning out to be the greatest asset in my business and life. I can’t believe I didn’t start it sooner.

Curious about meditating? Great! Basically, all you have to do is sit down for however long you want and be. Easy, right? If you need a bit more help, here are a few tips on how you can get started.

1. Commit. Meditating should be non-negotiable, just like brushing your teeth (well, I hope that’s the case...). Turn it into a sacred habit, something you look forward to—a time when you can relax, let go, and focus on what’s most important: you.

2. Use Apps and Podcasts.No, meditation isn’t rocket science, but it’s not a bad idea to have a bit of help. Being guided by those who’ve practiced meditation for years and know what they’re doing takes the pressure off and eases you into your own practice.

3. Be patient.The most important part of meditation is patience. Your thoughts will wander, you will catch yourself thinking about work, your to-do list, noises you hear, and even stretch marks you fear. It’s important not to get discouraged and accept this as part of your practice. Just refocus your attention, shift your focus back to your breath, and all will be well again.